AN INSURANCE company who refused to pay out after a tree was felled by lightning, has made a u-turn following an article in The Bolton News.

Halifax described the incident, which left Sandra and John Hesketh trapped in their home, as an ‘act of God’ and said the couple were therefore not covered.

However following the article in last Thursday’s paper, Halifax has now paid for the £700 removal of tree and gave Mr and Mrs Hesketh an additional £200 as a gesture of goodwill.

Speaking to The Bolton News, Mrs Hesketh said: “I can’t thank you enough.

“Halifax rang us the next day and told us that The Bolton News had been in touch with them.

“They said they had been back over the case and listened to the phone calls and they admitted they had made a mistake.”